Amalia, New York

Greg Brier, the restaurateur who brought us such iconic New York City venues like Jet Lounge and Aspen, has injected a touch of downtown élan to the otherwise browbeaten midtown, with the opening of Amalia.

The former late 18th century bi-level carriage house has been transformed by designer Steve Lewis of SLDesign into what they call 'a hyper modern Baroque castle,' where distressed brick walls, exposed rock surfaces and herringbone French oak floors are juxtaposed with bespoke Chinoiserie wallpaper panels, Murano chandeliers and a dramatic staircase done up in azure-coloured Italian Sicis tiles.

This visually bountiful motley also includes a gallery of ceiling-mounted Renaissance portraits, under which diners enjoy the Mediterranean-inspired cuisine of chef Ivy Stark, whose previous stint in Morocco figures large in the menu (think dishes like chorizo stuffed crispy chicken and vegetable tagine).

Photographer: Thomas Brodin

10 April 2007 | Travel